Sunderland are already preparing to take part in next season's Europa League.
The scenes at the Stadium of Light in the aftermath of Sunderland’s win against Premier League rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon will live long in the memory as the Black Cats celebrated a fitting end to what has been an incredible season.
Goals from Trai Hume and Brian Brobbey helped Regis Le Bris’ men do their part in their final bid for European competition and Brighton and Hove Albion’s home defeat against Manchester United and Brentford’s draw at Liverpool ensured Sunderland landed seventh place in the Premier League and a place in next season’s Europa League.
The celebrations went on late into the night as the Black Cats secured only a second shot at European football in the club’s history and will now prepare to venture onto the continent for competitive action for the first time since Bob Stokoe’s FA Cup heroes faced Hungarian side Vasas Budapest and Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the 1973/74 Cup Winners Cup.
Despite their outstanding achievement, it could be argued Sunderland are perhaps not the most surprising club to have secured a spot in the league phase of next season’s Europa League after Portuguese second tier side SC União Torreense caused a seismic shock when they saw off Sporting CP in final of the Taça de Portugal on Sunday night. As it stands they have the lowest squad value across the 13 clubs confirmed in the league phase of the competition - but where does Sunderland’s current squad value rank against some of European football’s greatest names?
Europa League 2026/27 squad values
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SC União Torreense (Portugal) - €9.58m AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) - €165.88m OGC Nice (France) - €169.10m Celta Vigo (Spain) - €172.90m Stade Rennais (France) - €242.20m Hoffenheim (Germany) - €246.10m Real Sociedad (Spain) - €272.70m Sunderland (England) - €381.95m Olympique Marseille (France) - €386.00m Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) - €449.75m AC Milan (Italy) - €483.50m Bournemouth (England) - €507.10m Juventus (Italy) - €544.20m
*Squad values according to TransferMarkt.
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